Welcome to ChitChat!

Amanda, I saw that you store your projects in Project Bags. What do your project bags look like? How big are they? Right now I keep my projects I'm not working on in a 3 ring binder in a sleeve of its own. But I don't have a project bag for the ones I'm working on. I'm just accumulating them on the floor around where I sit. Not good. I was actually looking for something to use at Wal-Mart but didn't see a thing.

I'm ordering the Words to Live By series by Tiny Modernist. I need more small projects to work on when the big ones get too tedious. What are everyone's favorite small patterns? I'm open to any designs except ones specifically for holidays.

I am so excited to start this new project (The Light of the World Painting - Large), which arrived yesterday thanks to the quicker-than-lightening delivery of ECS! But, I have to admit that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the size of this!! I just got done with a Nativity scene (posted decades ago in Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine) which was 10-inches diameter (fully-stitched), so I do know "the basics" (I think, anyway), but, gosh! This is massive!!!! I'm also a quilter, and this reminds me of a crib-sized quilt!! I'm not looking to finish quickly, but I would like to get started on the right foot!! :) What are your best tips for working with a LARGE project?

Hey there everyone! If you guys get our ECS Monthly newsletters then you probably saw this information already BUT if you don't get our newsletters or you just need a reminder....check this out :) We are doing an ECS 12 Days of Christmas Sale!!! Starting December 1st and going till December 12th, a new sale will be happening each day!! The sales will only be good for 24 hours so make sure you take advantage of them while you can! The sales will include supplies, kits, leaflets, specific designers, popular products and more! Annnnnd we may or may not have something HUGE planned for one of the days so you definitely don't want to miss out ;) We won't be sending out any emails for these sales. Just come to the website each day and click on the 12 Days of Christmas Section that will be on the homepage during that time and you will see what the sale is for that day :) I will also be promoting them on our social media pages! (and yes, we will still be running our December monthly specials, weekly sale and weekend sale during this time...so many sales, lol!) It's going to be fun and we can't wait to do this special thing for you all :) Stay tuned.... ~Kristi @ ECS

I know it's kind of an odd request, but I have been tasked with finding a Christmas stocking cross-stitch pattern that shows Santa using a computer. Not a particular design, but just any pattern that shows Santa using a computer, maybe to check his naughty/nice list on the computer instead of a paper copy? I know, it's kind of a niche-within-a-niche, but I have spent several hours trying to find this kind of pattern for a family member. (I'm the resident computer geek, she's the cross-stitch fan, she wants to make me a "counted cross-stitched Christmas stocking showing Santa Claus using a computer".) Any suggestions? We are looking for a *pattern*, not a finished product. Mom wants to actually produce the finished product herself. If that isn't possible, another idea she had (because, in addition to being the resident computer geek, I'm also the resident piano player) would be Santa playing a piano (either seated or standing). Either kind of pattern would be appreciated.

Have just received the pattern and is it gorgeous. The dyed material is on its way and I can't wait to see what it looks like. The question I have is that the pattern calls for Kreinik Braid which I don't like using so I wonder if it would work out alright if I used DMC's sparkly range instead. As I didn't buy the buttons required in the pattern I will go and see my craft lady and look at her range and buy something.

Do you know if Anchor puts out a nice thread chart like the DMC or just what you can down load from their website? I tired matching DMC to the Anchor and then cross referencing. I got a couple of colors right. I bought a stamped embroidery kit for my mom for Christmas and I know she will need extra. She does not like cross stitch even if it is stamped. I know, what is wrong with her right? I guess at 91 we need to indulge her. ;)

Last one, thanks so much!

Hi, l would like to order the above to include fabric, pattern and threads. I understand threads are extra but can you please confirm if fabric comes with the pattern. Thank you.

Anxious to try DMC’s new release Diamant Grande. Sounds like a good alternative to the hated (by me at least) metallics. Hopefully ECS will eventually carry this-hint, hint!